The Beech Tree of the Madonna at La Verna 1605 - 1607

Jacopo Ligozzi's "The Beech Tree of the Madonna at La Verna" (1605-1607) depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ child seated atop a large beech tree. The tree has a large hollow, suggesting a cave, below the Madonna, and a group of three figures gaze upwards, referencing the legend of the Madonna appearing to Saint Francis at the site of La Verna. The detailed drawing, using brown ink and pen, captures the serene landscape and the awe-inspiring moment of divine apparition. This piece exemplifies Ligozzi's skill in depicting natural details with a sense of spiritual reverence.